Franklin County: Samuel M. Potter to Cynthia Potter,
July 28, 1863
Summary:
Potter describes his recuperation in a military hospital in Baltimore and tells
about his unsuccessful attempt to receive a sick furlough.
Cynthia Potter
July 28th 1863
Hospital Balt
Dear Cynthia
Since I wrote you from Harpers Ferry Hospital I have been transferred to Baltimore at my own request thinking while I was a little sick that I could get a sick furlough, but after coming here I got so much better that they refused to give me a furlough and dearly as I love to be with you at home I dont see how to get there at present so I will ask you to be patient for a while longer & I will, will submit to though I would like so much to be at home with you and the children. The Doctor found me so well yesterday he returned me to duty. I was in the Stuart Mansion Hospital & finding there would be no chance there for a furlough, I tried to get transferred to a hospital in Harrisburg, hoping that I could get from there, but the Doctor was in a bad humour -- some of the nurses had been out the night before & got drunk, so when I went to ask him for my transfer he answered me as mad as a hornet. When I will leave here to go to the regiment I cannot tell, as it is away down in Virginia & the officers here dont know where it is. There are some men here who have been well and hearty for a month & not been sent off yet, so that I may probably remain here for some time & may leave today nobody knows. There are a great many sick & wounded soldiers here in Baltimore & the hospitals are conducted in the best manner. Everything must be clean about them. The sick and wounded have the best kind of diet. Those who are not sick have to live on a very plain diet and they growl a good deal about it although they get plenty to eat. There are about 400 in this hospital none of them very sick, most of them like me, waiting to be sent to their regiments. We have no special war news here at this time & I have nothing to relate of interest as taking place here. It is very monotonous here. We have a fine view of the city & bay but that is all the good it does us now. We cant get out they are very strict keeping us in the hospital grounds very close & it is right enough as a number of the men if they would get out would be disorderly drunk &c. You need not direct your letters to me at this place as I do not know how long I may remain. Direct them as you have been doing to Washington to the regiment & I will get them some day. I hope this may find you all well. I would like so much to get a letter from you as I cant get home for some time yet. Your last letter took me home & landed me on the porch beside you with the children around us & I felt very happy for a while & cheerful. But do not despair. The same Almightly power that has kept sickness from me so long & raised me up when disease took hold of me will in his good time and way permit me to remain with my family if consistent with his will & if His will be otherwise let us say thy will be done. He still orders everything for the best & knows what is best for us if we do not know. So in any case my dear wife let us put all our trust in him. It is very hard to part with our best friends & we may be disposed to murmur at it, but our Heavenly father knows what is best for us. Give my love to the children kiss them for me. Tell Josey & Lucy & Bell when I get home I will bake them something nice. I still intend to keep trying to get a furlough. Remember me in yoru prayers Cynthia & I will pray for the choicest blessing upon you all. My God keep you in his loving care & his spirit dwell with you.
Your most affectionate husband and father
S.M. Potter
